Frequently Asked Questions
Roads & Access
Harrison East Forest Service Road is an active industrial road. It is gravel and has bumps and potholes. It can be muddy after heavy rain and dusty during the dry season. Good tires are recommended to avoid flat tires.
Cascade Peninsula has a new campsite entrance road that has less steep of a grade then the old hill into the site. Bear Creek and Cogburn Beach are 2wd access.
Forest Service Roads (FSRs) are not maintained by us. It is up to the logging companies to maintain and repair these roads
The sites vary greatly in size and shape, and it depends on how good you are at maneuvering your vehicle. We recommend that if you are unsure about fitting in a site or unsure about the road conditions and suitability of your rig that you drive up and look for yourself.
We have divided the site sizes into three categories, but it is difficult to specify if you can fit due to the range of factors involved.
Small site - trailers up to 18' in length
Medium site - trailers up to 24' in length
Large site - trailers above 24' in length
Go to the campground pages on this website and see the maps of the campsites. Click on each site number for more information about the size and other site specifics.
There is no boat launch at Bear Creek or Cogburn.
Cascade has a rustic boat launch that is usable after the water levels recede on Harrison Lake, typically around the start of July. There are no docks at the campsites.
Site Services
There are no flush toilets at the campsites, there are pit toilets for washroom facilities.
These are rustic campsites, none of the sites have electricity, sewer or any type of water tap.
Toilet paper and potable water are NOT provided at any of the campgrounds. Please bring your own with you.
There is no running water at the campsites.
These are rustic campsites, none of the sites have electricity, sewer or any type of water tap. The sites have pit toilets for washroom facilities.
Toilet paper and potable water are NOT provided at any of the campgrounds. Please bring your own your own with you.
There is no garbage disposal available onsite. You pack it in, you pack it out.
We have provided bear proof food waste bins that are located at the Host site. These bins are monitored and are for food waste, pet waste and sanitary items only.
Keep all refuse and recycling in bins or containers and keep it stored where it is not accessible to wild life. Make daily trips to the nearest facilities to dispose of garbage/recycling if needs be. Practice the principles of Leave No Trace.
We try to supply firewood for sale at the campsites, but we do get sold out sometimes.
You can bring clean firewood to the campsites. No pallets, wood with nails or screws, painted wood, plywood, pressure treated wood, or oversized pieces.
Please leave your giant log rounds at home, you cannot split them, and then the Host is left to deal with them. Take your wet firewood home with you.
- Follow any of B.C.'s fire bans and restrictions
- Follow B.C.'s campfire regulations (PDF, 1.7MB) poster and respect the use of fire for stoves and campfires (PDF, 471KB) poster
- Do not cut trees or remove wood from the site
- Do not light campfires during strong winds
- Keep campfires small (0.5 m x 0.5 m) and within campfire rings provided
- While campfire is lit, keep eight liters of water and hand tools close by
- Do not leave campfires unattended
- Before leaving, extinguish fires and make sure campfire bed is cool to the touch
- Report wildfires or unattended campfires by calling *5555 on a cell phone or 1-800-663-5555 toll free
There is no cell phone service at the campsites. Sometimes at 9km on Harrison East forest service road there is spotty service at the lookout. It is not reliable.
You are welcome to bring your star link, however all your gear must be in the developed portion of your campsite. Sorry no cords/cables, routers or dishes set up outside of the developed portion of your campsite.
The gates close at 10pm and open at 8am.
Gates will only be opened after hours for emergency purposes.
If you arrive back after the gate has been closed, or if you wish to leave early in the morning before the gate opens, you will have to park your vehicle outside the gate and walk to/from your site. If you must park outside the gate, please use care when parking and do not block the gate or surrounding roads as these need to be kept clear for emergency vehicles at all times. If you park in front of the gate or block access on roadways you risk being towed at your expense.
Be mindful that you will be coming/going during quiet time, so please be considerate when walking to and from your vehicle. If a disturbance is created you will be asked to leave and no refund will be provided.
Check out time is 12:00pm, Check in time is 2:00pm
During the summer months, the sites are often booked back to back and we need time to check the site to ensure it is ready for the next camper. With many campers all checking-out at noon, reservation holders may not be able to check-in early. If you have a reservation, please do not arrive at the campground prior to 2 pm.
You must respect the peace and quiet of others at ALL times. Quiet time is 10pm to 8am.
Let the sound of nature prevail. If you are disturbing another campers experience with loud voices, loud music, prolonged running of a generator ect, then you are being too loud. Please remember sound travels further at night. Most of our campsites are popular with families and have small children. They have a right to a good nights sleep just as you do.
Tip: Walk to the front of the next site closest to you, if can hear music and loud voices coming from your site than you are being too loud.
Reservations
The reservation system is online and is available 24 hours a day. The reservation system goes live at midnight rolling forward for each new day.
Bear Creek - TBA
Cascade - TBA
Reservations can be made NO MORE than 30 days in advance of your arrival date
Reservations must be made not less then 7 days prior to arrival date.
Cascade Peninsula and Bear Creek have dedicated RESERVED sites and dedicated FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVED sites
A one time reservation fee is charged per reservation. This is in addition to your regular camping fees.
The reservation fee is $18 per single site, $28.00 per double site and $36.00 for the group site located at Cascade Peninsula.
Reservation fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. No exceptions will be made.
You cannot make a change to your reservation. You can cancel your reservation and re-book.
Please review the reservation policy for cancellation information.
Sorry, but we cannot provide refunds or change your reservation dates based on factors that are beyond our control. This includes, but is not limited to: work schedules and issues, intense weather, smoke, vehicle/trailer issues, medical reasons, change of plans, personal reasons, forgetting about or abandoning your reservation, vacating your campsite earlier than planned, or campsite evictions.
In keeping with fairness and consistency of the reservation system and rules/policies, please understand that no exceptions will be made. We understand unforeseen circumstances can occur, and we sympathize; however, we are not responsible for such situations and the reservation policy is clear.
Recreation Sites and Trails BC has a NO Show Policy with regards to reservations (this is a government policy).
Reservations are held until 10pm of the scheduled check-in date. If the reservation holder does not arrive by 10 pm on the arrival date, the entire reservation will be forfeited. No refund will be provided and the site will become available to first Come first Served (FCFS) campers.
If you arrive after 10 PM or the following day and wish to camp your reservation will no longer be valid, if a site is available you will have to pay to camp as a first come, first served camper.
In addition to us not being permitted to hold sites when a reservation does not show up, the public is aware of this policy and often they are waiting in line for these sites.
No exceptions will be made.
Yes, the Host(s) on site have a record of all incoming reservations. Upon check- in advise the Host you have forgotten or lost your confirmation. Provide them with your ID so they can verify you are the reservation holder and they will be happy to check -you in and provide you with your Recreation Site Camping Permit. This permit must be displayed on the dash of your vehicle.
Reservations are non-transferable. If you arrive to the campground and want to switch from your reserved site to a different available site, you can switch to that site, but you will have to pay the camping fees again for the new site.
You will not get a refund for your fees paid on the site you had reserved. Your reserved site will be rented to first come first served campers.
We cannot make any changes to your reservation. As long as your camping party does NOT exceed the maximum occupancy limit for your reservation, it is ok if you originally selected for less than the allowable limit for that chosen site. Please advise the camp attendant upon check in so they can update your camping permit to correctly reflect the number of guests in your camping party.
CAPACITY LIMITS - Single Campsite (includes one vehicle) max site occupancy 6 people on campsite
Double Campsite (includes two vehicles) max site occupancy is 12 people on campsite
Extra vehicles are $18 per night (cash only accepted on site)
Yes, however upon signing in with the Host you will be required to show picture ID to prove that you are the reservation holder. The name on your picture ID must match the reservation holder. The Host will update your permit upon check in.
Reservations are non-transferable. No exceptions. Reservations cannot be resold, transferred or "given" at anytime, and will be rendered void and no refund will be provided. The Hosts on site reserves the right to ask for identification to verify the confirmed reservation holder upon check-in.
You must be camping and your site must be occupied overnight.
Reserved and First Come First Served sites must be occupied, starting on the arrival date. If no one is occupying your reserved site it will be forfeited at 10pm of your arrival date. You cannot just setup a tent or park a trailer and then come back days later. Sites must be occupied by an adult the entire duration of the reservation.
You cannot hold a site for someone else. Holding a site for someone or leaving a tent or trailer in a site unattended overnight is NOT permitted even if the site is paid for.
Forest Recreation Regulations:
A person who brings a tent or recreational vehicle to a recreation site and does not camp, is in contravention of the Forest Recreation Regulations 20 (1)(c); as per below:
Limitations on occupancy and use
20 (1) A person who camps at a recreation site where a fee for camping is required under section 22 must
(a) camp in a campsite;
(b) occupy only one campsite;
(c) not leave personal property on a campsite unless the person is camping, under the authority arising from payment of the camping fee, at that campsite, or has been authorized to leave the property on the campsite by a recreation officer.
Any personal property or recreational vehicles that are left on site for the purpose of site-claiming may be removed or towed, at the owners expense.
Any camping fees paid, will be considered forfeit and no refund will be provided.
If a reserved site is not occupied, you should look at the reservations sign to see what date the next camper is arriving. You can occupy the site until the morning of the next arriving reservation.
Yes. The no more than thirty days in advance of your arrival applies to your check-in date only. Campers may enjoy their stay up to a maximum of 14 days.
Please use the calendar BELOW the dates to select your Arrival and Departure Dates, or manually enter your dates.
Do not use the calendar beside the dates (it will not allow you to book an end date past 30 days, we are sorry for the inconvenience).
Motorized Recreation
Registered campers may idle in/out with your off road vehicle into Bear Creek and Cascade Peninsula. You must have insurance and a helmet and follow all provincial regulations. The campsites are not for cruising around though, so you are limited to riding into your campsite and out of your campsite to access the logging roads.
IDLE IN IDLE OUT
If you are causing a disturbance the Host will revoke your privileged and you will not be able to ride in and out of your campsite any longer. You will have to trailer your ORV in and out.
If you are not camping at the campsite you will not be allowed to drive your ORV through the site to take a look. It causes to much noise, dust and stink. You will be able to park near the Host site and walk around to take a look.
No off road vehicles allowed on the beach at Cogburn
Long Weekend minimum charge
3 Night Holiday Rate applies to All Long Weekends for First Come First Serve and Reservations.
If you are making a reservation and only reserve 2 nights on a Long Weekend, the system will automatically charge you the 3 night Holiday Rate. This will NOT automatically change your reserved dates. Your reservation is only for the dates you choose, regardless of how many nights you are charged for due to minimum charge requirements.
Long Weekend Holiday Rate applies to the campsite itself (First Come First Serve and/or Reservations).
Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC) recognizes the need to manage our recreational sites for the recreating public. Due to the increased pressures associated with long weekend camping availability, the Chilliwack Forest District RSTBC has chosen to implement a 3 Night Holiday Rate for All Long Weekends (as outlined below) regardless if you stay all 3 nights or not.
- When the Statutory Holiday falls on a Friday, the 3 Night Holiday Fee will be for Thurs, Fri and Sat nights.
- When the Statutory Holiday falls on a Monday, the 3 Night Holiday Fee will be for Fri, Sat and Sun nights.
- When a statutory holiday falls on any other day than a Friday or a Monday, no 3 Night Holiday Fee applies.
Weekend Minimum Charge For Reservations -2 Night Minimum Charge applies applies for any reservation booked on a Friday or Saturday night (even if you only book one night) This minimum charge will NOT automatically change your reserved dates. Your reservation is only for the dates you choose, regardless of how many nights you are charged.
There is no 2 night minimum charge for first come, first served.
Other Questions
As of June 15, 2023 all our campgrounds have a $10 Visitor Fee, similar to other Recreation sites in the Chilliwack Forest District. The Visitor Fee must be paid in cash and will apply to ANY vehicle in the Recreation Site (excluding paid overnight campers). A limited number of visitors will be permitted in the campground, once our max occupancy is reached, no more visitors will be permitted on-site.
If you have family/friends planning to visit you at your site during your camping stay, please advise them of the visitor fee prior to avoid disappointment
We do not have dedicated space for day users and we do not have picnic tables, firepits or garbage bins for waste. Campsites are for the use of paid over night campers only.
Thank you for your co-operation and understanding.
Your campsite fee includes one vehicle and six persons (including adults and children)
The host is allowed to restrict the number of people or vehicles in a site if they think that it is overcrowded or to noisy.
Campsites vary in size and shape, all your camping gear including tents must be on the developed area of your campsite and not blocking roadways or trails. We do not charge per tent.
Pets are allowed. They must be leashed. Pets must be well behaved, not loud, under control and in close proximity to their owners at ALL times.
The Host can direct you to leash your pet and/or direct the removal of your pet from the recreation site if the rules are not being followed or your pet is aggressive. Owners are responsible for their pets and their behavior. You must clean up after them. Dog waste bags can be deposited in the bear proof bins located at the Host site. Please do not throw pet waste bags in the forest or on the flora, it is a major attractant to bears and other dangerous wild life.
Do NOT leave your pet unattended at your campsite, other campers don't want to hear your dog barking all day. This behavior will result in an eviction.
Harrison Lake water levels rise and fall each season during the freshet (snowmelt). Some of our campsites get flooded out during this part of the season. We have blocked out particular sites at Bear Creek and Cascade during freshet to avoid conflicts with high water. Adjustments will be made depending on run off.
You will not be able to reserve these sites during the blocked out period.
We cannot predict the lake levels as they change from year to year so if you reserve one of these sites outside of the blocked out period and a conflict with high water still exists we will work to move you to a different site or provide a refund.
The Public role plays an integral and imperative part, that we do not leave garbage or food source/attractants out for bears, cougars and wildlife.
We have a strong mandate that eviction follows for any infraction that leads to feeding bears and furthers their endangerment. This is non negotiable.
The Host on site is well trained on Bear Awareness and can provide you with any further information you may require. Report bears, cougars and any dangerous wildlife to the Host on site.
Bears have an incredibly acute sense of smell and can smell the smallest item of food at great distances.
Bears are attracted to:
- Anything that has been cooked or your are about to eat
- Seed and seed/peanut shells (bird seed, sunflower seed shells etc...)
- Dirty barbecues or camp stoves
- Any item associated with food prep or clean-up (dish rags, scrubbers, pots, pans, etc.)
- Dirty dish water and cooking grease. Do NOT dump in the bushes. There are bear proof bins located at the Host site for food waste, toiletries, diapers and dog waste bags.
- Garbage, wrappers, empty bottles, cans, condiments, or anything that has been in contact with food.
- Containers for gas, oil, or other petroleum-products
- Pet food/bowls
- Do not put any food items in your tent or smelly attractants including tooth brush and tooth paste.
- Keep all food and coolers locked in a vehicle or trailer
- Coolers (regardless if they are empty)
- Bears have long memories, your campsite may be clean now but if a bear received a reward there earlier, possibly by another user, it may be back so always be vigilant.